Cooke commenced the league campaign in nervous form against a stubborn Dromore side at Shaw’s Bridge.
In a game played in warm autumn sunshine Dromore showed intentions early on with a fine break from lively scrum half Steenson. A strong covering tackle by Cooke winger McMaster prevented the visitors taking an early lead. Cooke regrouped and took play upfield and when Dromore were penalised on half way for an illegal tackle, scrum-half Elliott put the home side ahead with a well struck penalty.
The game continued apace in the hot conditions with Cooke out-half Finlay using his boot to good effect. Tempers were also heated in the forward exchanges and with half an hour played Dromore captain Patton received a red card for a punch on Cooke flanker Dawson. The sturdy Cooke blindside received ten minutes in the ‘sin bin’ for retaliating.
Just before half time it was Cooke prop Seawright who was dispatched to the sin bin for an infringement at a ruck in home territory. The visitors took immediate advantage and when taking a line-out on the Cooke 5m line the Dromore pack drove over for an unconverted try. The half time whistle saw the score reflect a 5 – 3 lead to Dromore.
The restart saw Dromore edge further ahead. Cooke scrum half Elliott tried to run the ball out from his own 22 but was dispossessed by his opposite number Steenson who scampered across the line. Cobb’s conversion attempt was wide. Cooke eventually began exploit their numerical advantage and mid-way through the second half had Dromore contained within their 22. The scrum was an easy target for Cooke and when 4 consecutive set pieces on the Dromore line were disrupted illegally the referee had no option but to award a penalty try to the Belfast side which Elliott converted.
Ten minutes later Dawson consolidated Cooke’s forward superiority when driving over from a ruck close to the Dromore line for Elliott to convert. The Co Down side went straight back on the offensive and when Cooke No8 Mitchell obstructed a Dromore attacker he too found himself taking a ten minute spell on the side line. Visiting out-half Cobb did not recover any points from the resultant penalty.
The final 10 minutes saw an Elliott penalty rebound off the upright. The same player made amends shortly afterwards, touching down when Cooke had created an overlap on the right. His conversion attempt also struck the post leaving the final scoreline at 22 – 10 in favour of Cooke.
Man of the Match PAUL MCCULLOUGH
